Method of and apparatus for removing and positioning well tools in offset landing nipples

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for use in connection with offset landing nipples connected in a flow conductor of a pumpdown well installation for installing and removing tools therein, including a tandem kick-over running and pulling tool arrangement for removing a well device from and subsequently installing another well device in the side pocket of offset landing nipple housings, and the method of changing the well tool positioned in the side pocket of the offset housings and for installing another well device in the receptacle from which the first device was removed, both operations being effected during a single trip of the pumpdown tools into and out of the well flow conductor string. The apparatus and method also contemplates preventing flow of fluids from the producing flow conductor the exterior thereof through the lateral inlet opening of the side pocket landing nipple or receptacle of the housing, through a large differential may exist between the interior and exterior of the flow conductor.

United States Patent [191 Sizer 1 May 15, 1973 [5 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink REMOVING AND POSITIONING WELL y- Hastings Ackley T OLS IN FF ET LANDIN N i 0 O S G IPPLES ABSTRACT [75] Inventor: Phillip S. Sizer, Dallas, Tex. v

A method and apparatus for use m connection with Asslgneei Otis Engineering Corpllnfion, offset landing nipples connected in a flow conductor of a pumpdown well installation for installing and [22] Filed: June 21, 1971 removing tools therein, including; a tandem kick-over running and pulling tool arrangement for removing a [21] Appl' 154399 well device from and subsequently installing another well device in the side pocket of offset landing nipple [52] [1.8. CI. ..166/315,l66/1l7.5,166/156 housings, and the method of changing the well tool [51] Int. Cl. ..E21b 43/12 positioned in the side pocket of the offset housings [58] Field of Search ..166/3l5, 133.5, 117.6, and for installing another well device in the receptacle 166/ 53, 156 from which the first device was removed, both operations being effected during a single trip of the pump- References Cited down tools into and out of the well flow conductor UNITED STATES PATENTS string. 'lhe apparatus and method also contemplates preventing flow of fluids fromthe producing flow con- 3,561,528 2/1971 Butler ..l66/117.5 ductor the exterior thereof through the lateral inlet 3,268,006 8/1966 l-layes opening of the side pocket landing or recepta- 15 F et cle of the housing, through a large differential may lzer l exist between the interior and exterior of the flow conductor.

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PHILLIP S SIZER A2TORNEY 5 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING AND POSITIONING WELL TOOLS IN OFFSET LANDING NIPPLES This invention relates to new and useful improve ments in methods of and apparatus for running and retrieving well devices in offset landing nipples.

The invention is directed particularly to a tandem running tool for use with side pocket type landing nipples in which a receptacle is disposed in a section of flow conductor in a position offset laterally from the continuous axial bore of the flow conductor, for assuring that the running tool or retrieving tool functions as desired for removing a well tool from place in said side pocket and installing another well tool therein during a single trip of the tool string into and out of the well flow conductor, and the method of removing a first well tool and installing a second well tool in such a side pocket landing nipple by pump-down procedures with out flow of fluids through the lateral inlet opening of the side pocket despite the existence of substantial pressure differentials between the interior and exterior of the flow conductor.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a tandem running and retrieving tool assembly having longitudinally spaced kick-over tools incorporated therein for use with offset or side pocket type landing nipples, together with means for indicating to the operator thatthe running and retrieving tool assembly has functioned at the location at which it is being operated to enable the operator to determine apparent failure or malfunction of the assembly and take steps to repeat the setting or retrieving operation without withdrawing or rerunning the entire string of tools in the well flow conductor, and wherein said running and pulling tool assembly provides means for sealing off the well fluids in the flow conductor from escape from the conductor through the lateral flow inlet of the side pocket of the offset landing nipple or the entry of fluids from exteriorly thereof into the flow conductor while the operation of removing one tool and installing another is being carried out.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a method of changing a well flow controlling tool disposed in a side pocket of an offset landing nipple during a single trip of pump-down tools into and out of the well flow conductor in which the nipple is connected, and wherein the steps of the method are carried out without substantial transfer of fluids between the well flow conductor and the exterior thereof despite the existence of substantial pressure differentials therebetween.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention and which is designed for selective choice of the one landing nipple of a plurality of longitudinally spaced identical landing nipples in a well flow conductor at which the operation is to be carried out and in which a well flow control device is to be removed and replaced with another.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in an apparatus of the character set forth, means for positively holding the well flow control device to be installed as a replacement for the flow control device removed from the offset landing nipple in a position in which said replacement device does not interfere with the carrying out of the operation of removing the first flow control device or movement of the running and method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is therefore directed to a method and apparatus for changing well flow conductors in a selected one of a plurality of side pocket receptacles of offset landing nipples connected at longitudinally spaced positions in a well flow conductor by use of the pump-down tool method of operation, and apparatus for selectively carrying out the operation at any one of such plurality of longitudinally spaced landing nipples in the flow conductor with a minimum of trips of the pump-down tools into and out of the flow conductor, and for preventing transfer of fluid pressure from within and without the flow conductor during the carrying out of the operation.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the follow ing description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a well installation designed for pump-down operation and having a plurality of offset landing nipples connected in the flow conductor therein, showing the first step of the method of changing a well flow control device in a selected one of the offset landing nipples;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the kick over tool and pulling tool of the apparatus disposed to engage the well flow control device selected to be changed;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the selected tool being removed from the selected offset landing nipple;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS, showing the step of laterally offsetting the replacement well flow control device in the selected. landing nipple by means of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the replaced well flow control device secured in the side pocket receptacle of the selected offset landing nipple and the well tool in position to be removed from the well flow conductor by the pump-down method;

FIGS. 6A through 6F are enlarged detailedviews of the kick-over running and pulling tool assembly connected in a pump-down tool string for use in carrying out the method of theinvention;

FIGS. 7A and "7B are views similar to FIGS. 6A and I 63, showing the kick-over pulling tool being operated to engage the well flow control device to be replaced in the selected offset landing nipple; and,

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7B showing the lower kick-over running tool of the assembly disposed to position the replacement well flow control device in the side pocket receptacle of the selected offset landing nipple prior to removal of the assembly from the well flow conductor by the pump down tool string.

In the drawings, FIGS. 1 through 5, a well having a casing C disposed therein is shown equipped for pumpdown operation by being provided with a flow conductor or tubing string T having a plurality of offset landing nipples N-l, N-2, etc., connected therein at longitudinally spaced positions, and having a cross-flow or H- member X connected near its lower end below the landing nipples and having a lateral flow passage P communicating with a circulation conductor or string S extending upwardly therefrom to the surface. Valves VT and VS are connected to the upper end of the tubing string T and circulation string S to control flow through the strings in the usual pump-down procedures or methods.

Each of the offset landing nipples Nl and N2 has a main bore B longitudinally aligned with and communicating with the bore of the flow conductor or tubing string T in the usual manner, and a laterally offset side pocket receptacle R for receiving a well flow control device D for controlling flow through the lateral inlet port I in the landing nipple communicating with the receptacle R. An orienting sleeve is disposed in the upper end portion of each of the offset nipples Nl and N-2 and has a cam surface K oriented to direct the kick-over tools of the running and pulling tool assembly M toward the side pocket receptacle R, and a locator shoulder flange member L at the upper end of each of the landing nipples for use in locating the desired one of the plurality of longitudinally spaced nipples in which it is desired to carry out the operation of replacing the well flow control device located therein. The locator flange member is engageable by a locator and stop member LS forming a part of the running and pulling tool assembly M for positioning the offset kick-over running and pulling tools associated therewith in proper longitudinal relationship to the particular nipple.

The offset landing nipple is identical in all respects to that shown in my co-pending allowed application, Ser. No. 31,138, filed Apr. 23, 1970, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,336, issued Oct. 5, 1971. In addition the kickover tool and orienting and stop means for locating the kick-over tools in proper longitudinal relationship and circumferentially and angularly oriented position with respect to the side pocket receptacle is identical to that of my aforesaid co-pending application, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,610,336.

I have, however, connected two of the locator and orienting and kick-over devices in tandem arrangement, spaced longitudinally from each other and connected by means of the usual coupling members, including the sockets 21 and couplers 22 which also permit pivotal or knuckle joint or universal swinging movement of the elements so connected together in the manner also set forth in my co-pending application for use in pump-down operations. The coupler 22 is connected to a pump-down locomotive member E at the upper end of the assembly M and the coupler 24 at the lower end of the assembly is connected to a lower pump-down locomotive member E-2, by means of which the string of kick-over running and pulling tools is moved longitudinally in the flow conductor T by pump-downtool procedures in the manner set forth in my said allowed co-pending application.

The pump-down locomotive members E and E-2 may be of the type illustrated in the patent to N. F. Brown, U.S. Paulflo. 3,419,074, issued Dec. 31, 1968, and the upper locomotive is connected to the upper end of the locating and stop device LS at the upper end of the running to'olassembly by means of a quick coupler 22 of the type shown in said patent to Brown. The orienting and tripping mechanism W of the running and pulling tool assembly is connected below the locator tool LS and has a laterally swingable kick-over arm A pivotally connected therewith and carrying a pulling tool 30 connected to the lower end thereof.

The orienting and stop tool W has anorienting and stop lug 0L thereon designed to engage the cam surface K of the orienting sleeve 0 for positioning the swingable arm A of the kick-over tool, carrying the pulling tool 30, into position above the well device D for the pulling tool to engage the well device and pull the same from the side pocket receptacle R. A second locator and stop assembly LS2 is connected by means of the coupler member 23 to the lower end of the upper kick-over tool orienting and stop device W, and a second lower orienting and stop device W-2 is connected to the lower end of the locator and stop device LS-2 and has a kick-over arm A-2 connected thereto and swingable laterally to position a running tool 31 in a laterally offset position for orienting a replacement well device D-2 into position above the side pocket receptacle R for insertion and locking therein after the first well device D has been removed therefrom.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper orienting and stop device W and the lower orienting and stop device W-2 are connected in tandem between the upper and lower pump-down locomotive elements E and E-2 for movement into the well flow conductor T in the usual manner by circulating fluids downwardly through the valve VT and the bore of the flow conductor T to the crossflow passage P at the lower end thereof, and thence into the circulation string S and upwardly therethrough to the surface valve DS for return to the usual pumping assembly (not shown) at the well surface. When the tandem kick-over running and pulling tool assembly M, which consists of the entire string of tools between the upper pump-down locomotive E and the lower pumpdown locomotive E-2, moves downwardly through the tubing string, the locator and stop devices LS and LS-2 engage and pass the locator and stop shoulders of the flange members L and L-2 at the upper ends of the offset landing nipples in the flow conductor until the operator has determined in the usual manner the position in which the string of tools is located and it is ascertained that the string of tools has reached the nipple Nl. When this condition occurs, well fluids are circulated downwardly through the circulation string S and upwardly through the production tubing string or flow string T to cause the running and pulling tool assembly M to move upwardly until the locator and orienting lug CL of the upper orienting and stop tool W engages the cam surface K of the orienting sleeve 0 at the upper end of the nipple N-l and rides along said cam surface until the lug engages a stop shoulder SS at the upper end of a slot in said locator sleeve, in the same manner as the operation was carried out in my co-pending allowed application, at which position the swingable arm or kick-over arm A of the upper kick-over tool is disposed to swing the pulling tool 30 outwardly into the offset portion of the landing nipple Nl above the side pocket receptacle R and above the upper end of the well flow control device D anchored therein. Downward movement of the string of tools M is then effected by pumping the pump-down circulating fluids downwardly in the tubing T and upwardly in the circulating string S to move the pulling tool 30 downwardly to engage the well flow control device A for retrieving the same from the side pocket receptacle. After the pulling tool has engaged the well flow control device, upward flow of well fluids in the flow conductor T will move the string of running and pulling tools M upwardly until the pulling tool 30 has lifted the well flow control device D out of the side pocket receptacle R; effecting such upward movement, the dogs of the locator and stop device LS engage the downwardly facing shoulder of the flange stop member L and are moved to a position to permit upward movement of the running and pulling tool string M in the landing nipple N-l.

Should the volume of circulating fluid used to effect movement of the string of tools in the well flow conductor T be such that a substantial longitudinal movement of the string of tools in the landing nipple is effected, the lower locator and stop device LS-2 will engage the downwardly facing stop shoulder of the flanged locator flange member L and stop such movement. Of course, as a safety precaution, a substantial length of a spacer member 70 may be interposed between the upper orienting and stop device W and the lower orienting and stop device W-2 to assure that the lower locator stop device Ls-2 will not be forced upwardly past the downwardly facing shoulder of the locator flange L above the landing nipple N-l.

Also, the orienting and stop lug CL of the orienting and stop assembly W is released for movement past the stop shoulder SS in the orienting sleeve 0 prior to release of the stop dogs of the locator and stop device LS permitting movement of the upper locator and stop assembly or tool W past the downwardly facing shoulder of the locator and stop flange L. v

Upward movement of the string of pumpdown tools M then continues until the orienting and stop lug OL-2 of the lower orienting and stop device W-2 engages the stop shoulder SS in the orienting sleeve 0. When this condition occurs, the lower orienting and stop device is positioned with the kick-over arm A-2 thereof free to swing outwardly into the lateral recess above the side pocket receptacle R and so swing the running too] 31 and the replacement well flow control device D-2 into such lateral portion of the landing nipple above the receptacle R, as shown in FIG. 4. At this time, the flow of well fluids in the flow conductor T is reversed and the fluids are pumped downwardly therein and up-- wardly through the circulation string S to move the string of tools M downwardly and permit the running tool 31 to insert the well flow control device D-2 into locking and sealing position in the side pocket receptacle R of the landing nipple N-l.

When the replacement well flow control device D2 is anchored in the side pocket receptacle R, the pumpdown fluids are reversed in direction of flow, downwardly through the circulation string S and upwardly through the well flow conductor T, to move the string of running and pulling tools M upwardly with respect to the landing nipple N-l to disengage the running tool 31 from the replacement well flow control device anchored in the receptacle R. The orienting lug CL of the lower orienting and stop member OL-2 of the lower orienting and stop member W-2 is then moved to re- During the time the operation of removing the original well flow conductor device D from the receptacle R and inserting the replacement well flow conductor D2 in said receptacle is being carried out, the pumpdown locomotive members E and 13-2 seal off the bore of the production tubing or well flow conductor T above and below the landing nipple N-l so that even though there be a differential in pressure between the inside of the well flow conductor T and the exterior thereof in the casing C, no flow can take place through the inlet opening I of the side pocket receptacle R during the time other than the equalization of pressures confined between the two locomotives in the flow conductor and that exterior of the nipple. Since the circulating fluids used in carrying out the pump-down operations are usually water or light petroleum products or liquids, there will be a low volume transfer of fluids through the lateral inlet I, since the liquids are not compressible and the differential will quickly equalize through the inlet opening. This structure prevents loss of circulation fluids from the pump-down system, and also eliminates the entry of such fluids into the annulus exterior of the well flow controlling landing nipples, and likewise prevents the entry of gas from the annulus exteriorly of the well flow conductor into the bore of the well flow conductor and aerating the column of circulating fluids or pump-down fluids in the system.

While the flow control device has been described as being removed and replaced in the upper landing nipple N-l, it is readily apparent that exactly the same operation may be carried out in the lower landing nipple N-2, if such is desired, without any change in the described procedure.

The details of construction of the pump-down tool assembly or string M and the individual elements thereof located between the pump-down locomotive members E and 5-2, which may consist of a plurality of sealing members connected together in longitudinal array, is shown in FIGS. 6A through FIG. 8, which also show the manner in which such elements function in carrying out the method of the invention.

The pump-down running and pulling tool assembly M between the pump-down locomotivemembers E and leased position to pass the stop shoulder SS, and at the same time or shortly thereafter the locator dogs of the lower locator and stop device LS-2 engage the downwardly facing shoulder of the locator and stop flange member L and are moved to released position to permit the string of pump-down running and pulling tolls M to be moved upwardly through the well flow conductor to the surface in the usual manner, leaving the replacement flow conductor D-2 positioned in the side pocket receptacle R of the landing nipple N-l.

B2 is moved by such locomotive members to position the orienting lug OL below the cam surface K of the orienting sleeve 0 of the upper landing nipple N-l, and

the upper laterally projecting portion 34 of the orienting lug is moved outwardly by the spring 35 to engage the stop shoulder SS at the upper end of the orienting slot 36 in the orienting sleeve 0 at the upper end of the landing nipple. As the orienting lug rides along the cam surface K, the orienting and stop assembly W is oriented or turned about its longitudinal axis until the swingable kick-over am A thereof is disposed in circumferential registry with the enlarged laterally offset portion of the landing nipple above the side pocket receptacle R thereof. When the stop shoulder 38 on the upper end of the orienting lug 0L engages the stop shoulder SS in the orienting sleeve, further upward movement of the orienting lug is stopped and continued upward movement of the upper locomotive element E will pull the socket member 21 and the connector sub 40 of the locator and stop member .LS upwardly, compressing the helical coil spring 35 to permit the projecting end of the stop pin 42 at the upper end of the upwardly extending reduced arm 45 of the kickover mandrel 42 to move upwardly above the boss 43 on the lower end of the lock member 44 so that the stop pin may swing inwardly toward the downwardly extending leg 44a of the lock member about the pivot pin 46 and permit the plungers 47 to force the swingable arm A or kick-over mandrel to swing outwardly about the pivot end 48 as a result of the biasing force of the springs 49 acting on the plungers 47 until the lower end of the mandrel or arm A is swung outwardly to be disposed in the laterally offset portion of the landing nipple N-l above the receptacle R with the pulling tool 30 connected to the lower end of the swingable arm A engaging the wall of the offset portion of the nipple and causing shearing of the shear pin 50 to permit the knuckle member 51 to swing about the hinge pin 52 to position the pulling tool in axial alignment with the upper flow control device D which is to be replaced. Further downward movement of the pump-down tool assembly M will then move the pulling tool into supporting engagement with the upper end of the well flow control device D. After the pulling tool is so engaged with the flow control device D to be replaced, upward movement of the pump-down assembly, in the manner already explained, will release the well device D from the side pocket receptacle and withdraw it upwardly thereabove where it may swing inwardly, as shown in FIG. 6B, for retraction from the landing nipple N-l and from the well bore at a subsequent time.

While the well tool D is out of the side pocket receptacle R, the inlet openings I therein permit fluid communication between the bore of the landing nipple and the exterior thereof. Thus, any fluid in the flow conductor tubing string between the upper locomotive member E and the lower locomotive member E-2 is in fluid pressure communication through the inlets I with the fluids exteriorly of the flow conductor. However, as has been explained, since the pump-down fluid is usually water or a light petroleum liquid or the like, the pressure will quickly equalize through the inlet ports I and there will be little transfer of fluids in either direction through the ports and no substantial loss of circulating fluid from the circulating system of the well, nor will there by any gas of any quantity admitted into the circulating fluid in the system, even though the pressure differential across the inlet opening is large.

Continued upward movement of the string of pumpdown running and pulling tools M will again bring the stop shoulder 38 at the upper end of the orienting lug L into engagement with the shoulder SS at the upper end of the orienting slot 36 of the orienting sleeve, and will thereupon cause the shear pin 53 to be sheared and permit the housing 54 to move upwardly until the camming shoulder 55a at the lower end of the slot 55 engages the downwardly facing camming surface 38b on the orienting lug 0L to swing the upper end thereof inwardly about the pin 39 against the force of the spring 39a to permit the stop shoulder 38 to pass the stop shoulder SS in the orienting slot 36 of the orienting sleeve 0. The string of pump-down tools may then move further upwardly in the tubing and landing nipple until the stop lugs 60 on the locator and stop member LS engage the downwardly facing stop shoulder 58 on the stop and locating flange member L at the upper end of the landing nipple N-l. When this occurs, such engagement prevents shearing the pin 53 until the operator is satisfied that the pulling tool has engaged the well device D and retrieved the same from the side pocket receptacle R. When the operator is so satisfied, application of upward pressure by the circulating pumpdown fluids acting on the locomotive members will shear the pin 61 to permit the ring 62 to move downwardly, and thus permit the sleeve 63 carrying the lug to move downwardly to enable the lugs to be carnmed inwardly into the lower retracting recess 64 and so pass the stop shoulder 58. The spring 68 normally biases the sleeve 63 downwardly to a position in engagement with the upper end of the ring 62, in which the lugs 60 are held in expanded position by the locking surface 66 to prevent upward movement of the string of tools in the flow conductor, but permitting the dogs 60 and sleeve 63 to move upwardly into registry with the annular upper retracting recess upon downward movement of the lugs into engagement with the upper end of the stop and locator shoulder as the string moves downwardly in the flow conductor past landing nipples therein above the landing nipple N-1.

It will be seen, therefore, that the upper locator and stop tool W and the kick-over arm A carried thereby are operative to swing the pulling tool 30 into retrieving engagement with the well flow control device D for retrieving the same from the side pocket receptacle R of the selected landing nipple N-l.

When the shear pin 61 has been sheared to permit upward movement of the pump-down tool string, the pressure of the pump-down fluids circulating in the system may be sufficient to cause a substantial longitudinal movement of the pump-down tools upwardly through the landing nipple. Ifdesired, a spacer member 70 may be connected to the lower end of the sleeve of the upper locator and stop device W to space the socket member 210, coupler member 23 and socket member 21b sufficiently below the upper locator and stop device to permit the string of tools to stop their upward movement before the locator and stop member LS2 engages the downwardly facing stop shoulder 58 and before the orienting lug OL-2 engages the stop shoulder SS at the upper end of the orienting slot 36. In any event, the stop lugs 161 of the lower locator and stop device 160 will engage the downwardly facing stop shoulder 58 before the shear pin 153 is sheared. If desired, the lower shear pin 161 may be made of a larger diameter steel rod, while the upper shear pin 61 may be made of a softer smaller brass rod or the like, to provide a diflerential in shear force which will insure that the pin 161 does not readily shear inadvertently and that the shear pin 153 will not be prematurely sheared to render the lower orienting lug OL-2 inoperative.

When the lug OL2 engages the cam surface K of the orienting sleeve 0, it rides therealong upwardly along the cam surface until the upwardly facing shoulder 138 at the upper end thereof engages the stop shoulder SS at the upper end of the orienting slot 36, at which point the kick-over running tool assembly W-2 is oriented circumferentially with respect to the offset portion of the offset landing nipple and the receptacle R in such a manner that the replacement well flow control device D-2 is disposed in alignment with the open upper end of the receptacle. Excessive upward movement, which would result in shearing the shear pin 153, is prevented by the engagement of the stop lugs 160 of the locating and stop member LS2 with the downwardly facing stop shoulder 58 of the locating flange member L. Upward force applied to the carrier member of the mandrel 154 will cause the housing 154 to move upwardly against the force of the spring until the locking lug 9 142 carried by the housing moves out of engagement with the projecting end of the stop pin member 142 at the upper end of the kick-over mandrel or swingable arm A-2 moves upwardly above the boss 143 on the lower reduced end 144a of the lock member 144 with which the stop pin 142 is engaged. The stop pin may swing inwardly toward the downwardly extending leg 144a of the lock member about the pivot pin 148, permitting the plungers 147 actuated by the springs 149 to force the kick-over arm A to swing outwardly at its lower end into the laterally offset portion of the landing nipple N-2, as shown in FIG. 8. The replacement flow out interchange or exchange of any substantial amount control device D-2 is then in alignment with the upper open end of the side pocket receptacle R and downward movement of the pump-down running and pulling tool string M will move the replacement well flow control device D-2 into the pocket or receptacle where it is anchored in place in the usual manner. The running tool 31 may be thereafter disconnected from the flow control device by an upward pull applied thereto by means of the pump-down tool string in the usual manner.

Such upward movement of the pump-down tool string then moves the orienting lug OL-2 into orienting slot 36 until it engages the stop shoulder SS therein. Further upward force applied to the string of tools shears the pin 153 and causes the sleeve 154 of the 10- cator and stop device W-2 to move upwardly with respect to the orienting lug OL-2 until the cam surface 155;: engages the downwardly inclined cam surface 138b at the lower end of the lug and swings the stop shoulder 138 at the upper end of the lug inwardly out of engagement with the stop shoulder SS in the orienting sleeve. This permits the assembly M to move upwardly until the lugs 160 on the locator and stop device LS-Z engage the downwardly facing shoulder 58 of the stop flange member L. Thereafter, additional force applied by means of the circulating fluid acting upwardly on the pump'down locomotive members will shear the pin 1 61 and permit the ring 162 to move downwardly and the carrier sleeve 163 to likewise move down wardly until the lugs or dogs 160 are in registry with the lower retracting groove or recess 164, in which position the dogs may move inwardly into such annular recess or groove to pass the stop shoulder 58 and permit the string of tools tomove upwardly through the landing nipple and the flow conductor T to the surface.

It will be seen that the lower locomotive member E-Z does not move past the landing nipple N-1 until the replacement flow control device D-2 has been anchored in place in the side pocket receptacle to control flow through the inlet 1 therein, as has been explained, and

' that this construction prevents loss of circulating fluid or pump-down fluid and pressure through the lateral inlet, and also prevents the admission of lifting gas or other fluid in the annulus inwardly through the inlet into the pump-down fluid string.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that an improved method and apparatus has been provided for removing and replacing a well flow control device in a selected one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced substantially identical offset landing nipples connected in a well flow conductor means of pump-down tool method operation. It will be seen that the apparatus includes tandem locator and stop tools, orienting and kick-over tools and runningand pulling tools, which are arranged to first engage and remove the well device to be replaced of fluid pressure between the well flow conductor and the bore of the casing exteriorly thereof. It will also be seen that, due to the fact that the side pocket receptacle inlet openings are sealed off during the change-out operation, and since the pump-down fluid used in circulating the pump-down tools in the well is a liquid, any pressure differential across the inlets of the landing nipple will result in only a small transfer of fluid between the bore of the landing nipple and the exterior thereof through such inlets, even though a large fluid pressure differential exists thereacross.

It will particularly be noted that this apparatus and method provides forl he replacement of a selected well flow control device in a selected one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced identical offset landing nipples during a single trip of the pumpdown tool string in the well conductor at small cost and with great accuracy and speed.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the constructions illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: i

1. Apparatus for manipulating well devices in a well installation in which a plurality of longitudinally spaced offset landing nipples having receptacles therein in which well devices may be removably anchored therein are connected in a well flow conductor therein including: a running and pulling tool assembly; means on said running and pulling tool assembly and said offset landing nipples coengageable for locating and orienting said running and pulling tool assembly at a selected one of said plurality of longitudinally spaced offset landing nipples; means on said running and pulling tool assembly for laterally displacing a pulling tool forming a part of said assembly into the offset portion of said selected landing nipple in position with respect to the receptacle therein for engaging the original well device therein for removal thereof from said receptacle in said offset portion of said landing nipple; first locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly and locator and stop shoulder means on said landing nipple coengageable for indicating that the well device has been engaged by the retrieving tool and removed from said receptacle in the voffse'tportion; means on said first locator and stop means on running and pulling tool assembly operable for releasing the engagement thereof with said shoulder means of the nipple to free said running and pulling tool assembly for movement to locate and position a running too] forming a part of said assembly in oriented longitudinal and circumferential position in said offset landing nipple for lateral displacement of said running tool into the laterally offset portion of said selected landing nipple; means on said running and pulling tool assembly movable-for freeing said running tool for such lateral displacement; means on said running and pulling tool assembly operable for displacing said running tool into the laterally offset portion of the landing nipple in position with respect to said receptacle to dispose a replacement well device for installation in said receptacle in said offset portion of said landing nipple; means on said assembly for moving said running tool toward said receptacle to insert said replacement well device into anchored position in said receptacle in said offset portion; and means on said second locator and stop means operable for releasing said second locator and stop means of said running and pulling tool assembly from indicating coengagement with the locator and stop shoulder means of said landing nipple for freeing said running and pulling tool assembly from said landing nipple for removal of said assembly from the well flow conductor.

2. A device of the character set forth in claim 1, which includes: means forming a part of said running and pulling tool assembly and sealingly engageable with the well flow conductor for sealing off the selected offset landing nipple on longitudinally opposite sides thereof in the well flow conductor in which it is connected to prevent transfer of fluid from the bore of the well flow conductor to the exterior thereof or vice versa during the operation of removing the original well device and installing the replacement well device in said offset landing nipple portion.

3. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 including: supporting means in the running and pulling tool assembly for separately connecting each of the running and pulling tools in said assembly and having releasable holding means therein for separately positively holding each of the running tool and pulling tool supporting means and running or pulling tools supported thereby in substantially longitudinal axial alignment with the remainder of the assembly; and means on said assembly separately connected with each said supporting means engageable with said locating and orienting means of said landing nipple for selectively releasing said holding means of a selected one of said supporting means to permit the selected supporting means for the selected running or pulling tool to be swung laterally outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the running and pulling tool assembly for disposition of such selected tool in the offset portion of the offset landing nipple in operative relationship with respect to the receptacle therein.

4. Apparatus for manipulating well devices in a flow conductor having connected therein an offset landing nipple having a laterally offset receptacle therein with a lateral opening and a well device removably anchored in said receptacle, which includes: a tandem running and retrieving tool assembly having longitudinally spaced kick-over tools connected therein, each of said kick-over tools having laterally swingable supporting means carrying one of a pair of running and retrieving tools of the assembly; means on each of said kick-over tools for releasably separately holding each of said laterally swingable supporting means of said kick-over tools against swinging movement to hold the one of the running and retrieving tools carried thereby in substantial axial alignment with the remainder of the assembly; means on said running and retrieving tool assembly and on each said landing nipple coengageable for orienting the running and retrieving tool assembly to dispose the laterally swingable supporting means of a selected kickover tool in position to be swung into ahe offset portion of the landing nipple; first means on the running and retrieving tool assembly for releasing the holding means on the running and retrieving tool assembly for subsequently releasing the holding means for the swingable supporting means of the other kick-over tool to free said supporting means and the running or retrieving tool carried thereby for swinging movement of the same outwardly into the offset portion of the landing nipple into substantial alignment'with the offset receptacle therein.

5. An apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4 including: means on said running and retrieving tool assembly engageable with the flow conductor for sealing on longitudinally opposite sides of said offset landing nipple connected in said flow conductor to prevent fluid flow through said offset landing nipple to the exterior thereof to prevent transfer of fluid pressure in either direction through the lateral opening of said offset landing nipple.

6. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4 including: locator and orienting stop means connected to each of the kick-over tool devices and on said offset landing nipple coengageable for locating and positioning said running and retrieving tool assembly in the landing nipple in a position in which the laterally swingable supporting means of the kick-over tool and the running or retrieving tool supported thereby will be swung into the offset portion of the landing nipple in position with respect to the offset receptacle therein for engaging a well device anchored in the offset receptacle; and stop means on said running and retrieving tool assembly and on said landing nipple coengageable for preventing inadvertent release of the swingable supporting means of the kick-over tool and the running or retrieving tool supported thereby from said position prior to accomplishment of the desired operation on the well device in the offset receptacle.

7. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4 wherein each of the kick-over tools has associated therewith in said running and retrieving tool assembly a locator and stop device; and locator and stop shoulder means is provided on the offset landing nipple separately coengageable with said locator and stop devices for indicating to the operator that the running and pulling tool assembly has performed the desired operation.

8. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 including: pump-down locomotive means connected to said running and pulling tool assembly at opposite ends thereof sealingly engaging said flow conductor and operable by flow of fluid in said flow conductor for moving said running and pulling tool assembly in said flow conductor with respect to the offset landing nipple and operating said running and pulling tool assembly.

9. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 8 wherein said pump-down locomotive means provides said means for sealing between said running and pulling tool assembly and the well flow conductor on longitudinally opposite sides of said offset landing nipple.

10. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4 including: pump down locomotive means connected to said running and retrieving tool assembly sealingly engaging said flow conductor and operable by flow of fluid in said flow conductor for moving said assembly longitudinally'relative to said offset landing nipple and 13 operating said running and retrieving tool assembly by the pump-down tool procedures.

11. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim wherein said pump-down locomotive means provides sembly into the well flow conductor and into the landing nipple; locating the pulling tool of the assembly in registry with the offset receptacle; moving the pulling tool into engagement with the well device in the offset receptacle; removing the well device from the offset receptacle; determining by engagement of first locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly and stop means on said landing nipple that the well device has been removed from the receptacle; moving the running and pulling tool assembly to position a running tool having a replacement well device supported thereby in registry with the offset portion of the nipple; freeing the running tool for movement laterally to position the replacement well device in the offset receptacle; anchoring the replacement well flow control device in the offset receptacle; disengaging the running tool from the well device; determining by engagement of second locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly and said stop means on said land ing nipple that the well device has been set in the offset receptacle; and removing the running and pulling tool assembly from the well flow conductor.

13. A method of changing a well flow controlling device disposed in a laterally offset receptacle of an offset landing nipple having a lateral opening in its wall communicating with the exterior of the landing nipple comprising: running a tandem running and pulling tool assembly into the well flow conductor and into the landing nipple; locating the pulling tool of the assembly in registry with the offset receptacle; moving the pulling tool into engagement with the well device in the offset receptacle; removing the well device from the offset receptacle; detemrining by engagement of first locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly and stop means on said landing nipple that the well device has been removed from the receptacle; moving the running and pulling tool assembly to position a running tool having a replacement well device supported thereby in registry with the offset portion of the nipple; freeing the running tool for movement laterally to position the replacement well device in the offset receptacle; anchoring the replacement well flow control device in the offset receptacle; disengaging the running tool from the well device; determining by engagement of second locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly and said stop means on said landing nipple that the well device has been set in the offset receptacle; removing the running and pulling tool assembly from the well flow conductor; and maintaining a seal on longitudinally opposite sides of the offset landing nipple to prevent flow of fluid in either direction through the lateral opening in the landing nipple between the interior of the landing nipple and the exterior thereof during removal of the well device and installation of the replacement well device.

14. A method of claim 12 wherein the running and pulling tool assembly is moved into and out of the well flow conductor and operated at the offset landing nipple by fluid operated pump-down tool locomotive means and fluid flow in said flow conductor. 

1. Apparatus for manipulating well devices in a well installation in which a plurality of longitudinally spaced offset landing nipples having receptacles therein in which well devices may be removably anchored therein are connected in a well flow conductor therein including: a running and pulling tool assembly; means on said running and pulling tool assembly and said offset landing nipples coengageable for locating and orienting said running and pulling tool assembly at a selected one of said plurality of longitudinally spaced offset landing nipples; means on said running and pulling tool assembly for laterally displacing a pulling tool forming a part of said assembly into the offset portion of said selected landing nipple in position with respect to the receptacle therein for engaging the original well device therein for removal thereof from said receptacle in said offset portion of said landing nipple; first locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly and locator and stop shoulder means on said landing nipple coengageable for indicating that the well device has been engaged by the retrieving tool and removed from said receptacle in the offset portion; means on said first locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly operable for releasing the engagement thereof with said shoulder means of the nipple to free said running and pulling tool assembly for movement to locate and position a running tool forming a part of said assembly in oriented longitudinal and circumferential position in said offset landing nipple for lateral displacement of said running tool into the laterally offset portion of said selected landing nipple; means on said running and pulling tool assembly movable for freeing said running tool for such lateral displacement; means on said running and pulling tool assembly operable for displacing said running tool into the laterally offset portion of the landing nipple in position with respect to said receptacle to dispose a replacement well device for installation in said receptacle in said offset portion of said landing nipple; means on said assembly for moving said running tool toward said receptacle to insert said replacement well device into anchored position in said receptacle in said offset portion; and means on said second locator and stop means operable for releasing said second locator and stop means of said running and pulling tool assembly from indicating coengagement with the locator and stop shoulder means of said landing nipple for freeing said running and pulling tool assembly from said landing nipple for removal of said assembly from the well flow conductor.
 2. A device of the character set forth in claim 1, which includes: means forming a part of said running and pulling tool assembly and sealingly engageable with the well flow conductor for sealing off the selected offset landing nipple on longitudinally opposite sides thereof in the well flow conductor in which it is connected to prevent transfer of fluid from the bore of the well flow conductor to the exterior thereof or vice versa during the operation of removing the original well device and installing the replacement well device in said offset landing nipple portion.
 3. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 including: supporting means in the running and pulling tool assembly for separately connecting each of the running and pulling tools in said assembly and having releasable holding means therein for separately positively holding each of the running tool and pulling tool supporting means and running or pulling tools supported thereby in substantially longitudinal axial alignment with the remainder of the assembly; and means on said assembly separately connected with each said supporting means engageable with said locating and orienting means of said landing nipple for selectively releasing said holding means of a selected one of said supporting means to permit the selected supporting means for the selected running or pulling tool to be swung laterally outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the running and pulling tool assembly for disposition of such selected tool in the offset portion of the offset landing nipple in operative relationship with respect to the receptacle therein.
 4. Apparatus for manipulating well devices in a flow conductor having connected therein an offset landing nipple having a laterally offset receptacle therein with a lateral opening and a well device removably anchored in said receptacle, which includes: a tandem running and retrieving tool assembly having longitudinally spaced kick-over tools connected therein, each of said kick-over tools having laterally swingable supporting means carrying one of a pair of running and retrieving tools of the assembly; means on each of said kick-over tools for releasably separately holding each of said laterally swingable supporting means of said kick-over tools against swinging movement to hold the one of the runniNg and retrieving tools carried thereby in substantial axial alignment with the remainder of the assembly; means on said running and retrieving tool assembly and on each said landing nipple coengageable for orienting the running and retrieving tool assembly to dispose the laterally swingable supporting means of a selected kick-over tool in position to be swung into ahe offset portion of the landing nipple; first means on the running and retrieving tool assembly for releasing the holding means for swingable supporting means of the selected kick-over tool to free said supporting means for swinging movement into substantial alignment with the offset receptacle of said offset landing nipple; and second means on the running and retrieving tool assembly for subsequently releasing the holding means for the swingable supporting means of the other kick-over tool to free said supporting means and the running or retrieving tool carried thereby for swinging movement of the same outwardly into the offset portion of the landing nipple into substantial alignment with the offset receptacle therein.
 5. An apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4 including: means on said running and retrieving tool assembly engageable with the flow conductor for sealing on longitudinally opposite sides of said offset landing nipple connected in said flow conductor to prevent fluid flow through said offset landing nipple to the exterior thereof to prevent transfer of fluid pressure in either direction through the lateral opening of said offset landing nipple.
 6. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4 including: locator and orienting stop means connected to each of the kick-over tool devices and on said offset landing nipple coengageable for locating and positioning said running and retrieving tool assembly in the landing nipple in a position in which the laterally swingable supporting means of the kick-over tool and the running or retrieving tool supported thereby will be swung into the offset portion of the landing nipple in position with respect to the offset receptacle therein for engaging a well device anchored in the offset receptacle; and stop means on said running and retrieving tool assembly and on said landing nipple coengageable for preventing inadvertent release of the swingable supporting means of the kick-over tool and the running or retrieving tool supported thereby from said position prior to accomplishment of the desired operation on the well device in the offset receptacle.
 7. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4 wherein each of the kick-over tools has associated therewith in said running and retrieving tool assembly a locator and stop device; and locator and stop shoulder means is provided on the offset landing nipple separately coengageable with said locator and stop devices for indicating to the operator that the running and pulling tool assembly has performed the desired operation.
 8. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 1 including: pump-down locomotive means connected to said running and pulling tool assembly at opposite ends thereof sealingly engaging said flow conductor and operable by flow of fluid in said flow conductor for moving said running and pulling tool assembly in said flow conductor with respect to the offset landing nipple and operating said running and pulling tool assembly.
 9. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 8 wherein said pump-down locomotive means provides said means for sealing between said running and pulling tool assembly and the well flow conductor on longitudinally opposite sides of said offset landing nipple.
 10. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 4 including: pump down locomotive means connected to said running and retrieving tool assembly sealingly engaging said flow conductor and operable by flow of fluid in said flow conductor for moving said assembly longitudinally relative to said offset landing nipple and operating said running and retrieving tool assembly by the pump-down tool procedurEs.
 11. Apparatus of the character set forth in claim 10 wherein said pump-down locomotive means provides said means sealing between said running and retrieving tool assembly and the well flow conductor on longitudinally opposite sides of said offset landing nipple.
 12. A method of changing a well flow controlling device disposed in a laterally offset receptacle of an offset landing nipple having a lateral opening in its wall communicating with the exterior of the landing nipple comprising: running a tandem running and pulling tool assembly into the well flow conductor and into the landing nipple; locating the pulling tool of the assembly in registry with the offset receptacle; moving the pulling tool into engagement with the well device in the offset receptacle; removing the well device from the offset receptacle; determining by engagement of first locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly and stop means on said landing nipple that the well device has been removed from the receptacle; moving the running and pulling tool assembly to position a running tool having a replacement well device supported thereby in registry with the offset portion of the nipple; freeing the running tool for movement laterally to position the replacement well device in the offset receptacle; anchoring the replacement well flow control device in the offset receptacle; disengaging the running tool from the well device; determining by engagement of second locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly and said stop means on said landing nipple that the well device has been set in the offset receptacle; and removing the running and pulling tool assembly from the well flow conductor.
 13. A method of changing a well flow controlling device disposed in a laterally offset receptacle of an offset landing nipple having a lateral opening in its wall communicating with the exterior of the landing nipple comprising: running a tandem running and pulling tool assembly into the well flow conductor and into the landing nipple; locating the pulling tool of the assembly in registry with the offset receptacle; moving the pulling tool into engagement with the well device in the offset receptacle; removing the well device from the offset receptacle; determining by engagement of first locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly and stop means on said landing nipple that the well device has been removed from the receptacle; moving the running and pulling tool assembly to position a running tool having a replacement well device supported thereby in registry with the offset portion of the nipple; freeing the running tool for movement laterally to position the replacement well device in the offset receptacle; anchoring the replacement well flow control device in the offset receptacle; disengaging the running tool from the well device; determining by engagement of second locator and stop means on said running and pulling tool assembly and said stop means on said landing nipple that the well device has been set in the offset receptacle; removing the running and pulling tool assembly from the well flow conductor; and maintaining a seal on longitudinally opposite sides of the offset landing nipple to prevent flow of fluid in either direction through the lateral opening in the landing nipple between the interior of the landing nipple and the exterior thereof during removal of the well device and installation of the replacement well device.
 14. A method of claim 12 wherein the running and pulling tool assembly is moved into and out of the well flow conductor and operated at the offset landing nipple by fluid operated pump-down tool locomotive means and fluid flow in said flow conductor. 